President Barack Obama waves as he boards Air Force One before his departure from Andrews Air Force Base, Sunday, Sept., 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

(CNSNews.com) – Speaking from his holiday residence in Martha’s Vineyard on Aug. 22, 2011, President Barack Obama touted the Arab Spring--including the revolution in Libya--to a “joyful longing for human freedom."

“The Qaddafi regime is coming to an end, and the future of Libya is in the hands of its people,” Obama said in a statement on the situation in that country.

“In just six months, the 42-year reign of Muammar Qaddafi has unraveled,” Obama said. “Earlier this year, we were inspired by the peaceful protests that broke out across Libya.

“This basic and joyful longing for human freedom echoed the voices that we had heard all across the region, from Tunis to Cairo,” Obama said.

On Aug. 22, 2011, The Guardian also reported on the situation in Libya:

“In the capital on Sunday afternoon, one of the largest military bases was overrun by rebel forces, who freed up to 5,000 people imprisoned by the regime and then swung open the doors of the armoury, allowing thousands of rebel supporters to seize weapons,” the article states.

“Reports from the Mais base revealed residents were celebrating wildly. Misrata military council confirmed that units of Misrata rebels made a beach landing near Tripoli, to deliver weapons and ammunition to rebels,” the article states.

“Observers inside the capital said barricades had been erected in some suburbs and soldiers had taken up defensive positions,” the article states. “Weapons and ammunition were distributed to loyalists earlier in the uprising, raising the prospect of prolonged guerrilla warfare within the city although as the rebels moved through the capital there was no sign of armed resistance.

“Gaddafi's compound in the centre of Tripoli was bombed again by Nato jets early on Sunday, and only several miles away uprisings were reported to be underway in the suburbs of Tajoura and Fashloum,” the article states.

“Sustained gunfire from both areas on Saturday night appeared to mark the first time that rebel movements in either area had been able to gain momentum since anti-regime protests erupted on 17 February,” the article states.